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Coronavirus Updates
On the weekend when most people deal with beef by tossing it on a sizzling barbecue, Jesse Brown will be tussling with a quarter-ton of steer that’s very much alive.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) TIMELINE
Editor’s Note: This is the fourth installment of the diary that Story Miller, who grew up in Richland, is writing from her home in Italy, where she has lived since 2012 with her Italian husband, Enrico Pizzetti. The couple have a 3-year-old daughter, Lamia. The three earlier installments, pu… Read more
The Oregon Healthy Living Alliance, formed in 2014 to support community health development initiatives in eastern Oregon, is creating a mutual aid network to assist those who have been affected by COVID-19 in the region. Read more
On the weekend when most people deal with beef by tossing it on a sizzling barbecue, Jesse Brown will be tussling with a quarter-ton of steer that’s very much alive. Read more
After being closed most of the spring, the doors of the Baker High School gymnasium are unlocked. Read more
The plaintiffs, including a Baker City church, who sued Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in early May, claiming she had exceeded her legal authority in restricting activities due to the pandemic, have voluntarily dismissed their complaint. Read more
Three more Baker County residents have been infected with COVID-19, bringing the county’s case total to four. Read more
A warm summer evening brought music and movement to Baker City’s Central Park as Ms. Amy’s dance classes performed for an audience of family and close friends on Thursday. Read more
Baker County has received about $265,000 in federal and state aid to help with its response to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Governor Kate Brown announced today that Oregonians statewide will be required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces, beginning this Wednesday July 1. The guidance applies to businesses and members of the public visiting indoor public spaces. Face covering requirements are already m… Read more
Five of the 57 inmates in state prisons who will be released early due to their vulnerability to the coronavirus are incarcerated at the Powder River Correctional Facility in Baker City. Read more
Although the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect Baker County, on Tuesday evening the familiar sound of aluminum bats hitting baseballs echoed at the Baker Sports Complex. Read more
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, face masks have become a part of everyday life, and people have begun to look in unconventional places to find them. Read more
Change will continue to take place as the Baker School District plans to welcome its 1,700 students and a staff of more than 300 back to class in the fall. Read more
The Baker School District is planning regular classes for elementary students this fall, with students in grades 7 through 12 divided into two groups that rotate every other day, with one group attending classes at school while the other takes the same class online. Read more
Health officials reported five new cases of COVID-19 in Union County Monday, bringing the county’s total to 263. Read more
Discussions during Thursday night’s Baker School Board meeting led to the scheduling of a June 30 work session in which plans for reopening classes in the fall will be presented in finer detail. Read more
Mark Bennett is maintaining a vigil of sorts, waiting for something he hopes doesn’t happen. Read more
Another of Baker City’s signature summer events is a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Organizers of the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Indian Pageant & Wild West Show announced today that the iconic events won't happen in September due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Baker County has offered assistance as Union County deals with Oregon’s biggest COVID-19 outbreak, and local officials are also prepared for potential new infections in Baker County. Read more
The coronavirus pandemic is not deterring Baker County residents from donating blood. Read more
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Baker City is continuing to offer its curbside evaluation site for people concerned that they might have COVID-19. Read more
LA GRANDE — Union County on Tuesday added more than 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19, boosting the count in the county to 240, according to the latest numbers from the Oregon Health Authority. Read more
Baker City will be reopening playgrounds at two neighborhood parks this afternoon, as well as the Lions Club exercise zone along the Leo Adler Memorial Parkway. Read more
A group of Eastern Oregon county commissioners met unannounced Thursday in Prairie City to share common frustrations over Gov. Kate Brown’s closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Toilet paper is again stocked in local stores, but the coronavirus pandemic has sparked another shortage. Read more
Baker County Commissioner Mark Bennett said county officials continue to work on a proposal for further easing restrictions on public gatherings and other activities in the county so long as confirmed cases of coronavirus remain few. Read more
Health officials in Union County, Baker County's neighbor to the north, today reported 99 new cases of COVID-19. Read more
The Oregon Supreme Court concluded that Baker County Circuit Court Judge Matt Shirtcliff erred in his May 18 ruling that Gov. Kate Brown exceeded her legal authority in issuing executive orders related to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
With all of the shutdowns due to COVID-19, residents of Baker County and the surrounding areas will be happy to hear that the 2020 Powder River Music Review Sunday live music series at Geiser-Pollman Park is still on. Read more
The Haines Stampede Rodeo and the Friends of Haines Fourth of July fireworks show will both take place, bucking the trend of many traditional summer events canceled in Baker County due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
The Baker County YMCA has been missed by its members and others in the community who have come to rely on the availability of the organization’s fitness center and the city-owned Sam-O Swim Center, said Mark Bogart, who is serving as interim CEO. Read more
Sam-O Swim Center at 580 Baker St. will reopen June 15 after being closed for more than 2 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
“We’re going to be legends for this.” Read more
High school graduation parties are always nights to remember, but the Baker High School class of 2020’s celebration was unique. Read more
The Haines Stampede Rodeo and the Fourth of July fireworks show will both happen, organizers said. Read more
Another of Baker City’s signature summer events has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Three weeks have passed since restaurants were allowed to resume limited on-site dining, and owners of local eateries say customers are glad to be able to sit in booths and eat hot meals. Read more
Baker County began the second phase of the state’s reopening plan today, with more people allowed to attend both indoor and outdoor events, including church services. Read more
Oregon officials have approved Baker County's application to start phase 2 of the reopening process Saturday, June 6. Read more
Carol Kitch stands outside Memory Lane Homes, peering into the window of the residential care facility to speak with her mother, Mary Lou Lake. Read more
Baker County Commissioner Mark Bennett is confident that state officials will allow the county to move into the second phase of the state’s reopening plan Friday. Read more
Attorneys for the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed May 6 in Baker County challenging Gov. Kate Brown’s executive orders during the coronavirus pandemic reiterated their claims, in separate briefs filed Tuesday with the Oregon Supreme Court, that the governor’s orders have legally expired. Read more
Reanna Clark seems more interested in tasting her brand new book than reading it. Read more
The Baker County Fair will go on as scheduled, Aug. 3-7, but the annual event will be different due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Baker County’s rate of testing for coronavirus should accelerate soon. Read more
The Baker City Farmers Market opens Wednesday with a few changes due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Union Creek Campground on Phillips Reservoir, about 17 miles southwest of Baker City, will open for the season on Monday, June 8. Read more
The era of doctors making house calls is as outdated as black-and-white TV, but these days you can talk with a physician almost as easily as you can grab a burger and fries. Read more
Baker County is proposing that Gov. Kate Brown authorize theaters, bowling alleys and campgrounds to reopen, and allow more customers in restaurants and bars, during the second phase of the economic reopening plan. Read more
Oregon’s solicitor general argues in a brief to the state Supreme Court that the Legislature did not intend to limit the duration of an emergency declared by the governor. Read more
Shelly Cutler is optimistic that Miners Jubilee — in some form — can happen as planned July 17-19. Read more
Baker County Circuit Court Judge Matt Shirtcliff is standing by his May 18 opinion that Oregon Gov. Kate Brown exceeded her legal authority in issuing executive orders related to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
After spending his fall under the Friday Night Lights, and his winter on the hardwood, Baker High School senior Spencer Shirtcliff was excited to find himself heading back to the baseball diamond. After a strong season last spring, he knew his development was vital to the team’s success. Read more
A week after Baker County Circuit Court Judge Matt Shirtcliff ruled that Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s executive orders related to the pandemic exceeded her legal authority, the legal spotlight is cast again on Shirtcliff’s chambers. Read more
Baker City missed books. Read more
The Oregon Supreme Court Monday evening issued a stay blocking a decision earlier in the day by Baker County Circuit Court Judge Matt Shirtcliff that temporarily stopped the state from enforcing Gov. Kate Brown's executive orders restricting certain activities due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Baker County business owners faced a choice Friday when the county entered the first phase of an economic reopening plan that Gov. Kate Brown announced the day before. Read more
The Baker County Jail will not be making plans to change its current procedures even as businesses begin welcoming people through their doors. Read more
Baker County's number of confirmed coronavirus cases remains at 1. The Oregon Health Authority's daily report issued today listed 3 cases for Baker County, but according to the Baker County Health Department that was a mistake, and the OHA website will be corrected. Read more
The Inland Cafe officially opened at 7 a.m. Friday, but five buddies just couldn’t wait that long. Read more
Baker County will join most of Oregon’s 35 other counties in beginning to reopen their economies Friday after receiving approval to move into phase one of the state’s reopen plan Thursday morning. Read more
Annie Franks had a tree problem. Read more
This offseason was like any other for Baker Little League. Read more
The one Baker County resident who has tested positive for the coronavirus has an address in the 97814 area code, which includes Baker City and other parts of Baker County. Read more
Lawyers representing a Baker City church and other plaintiffs on one side, and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on the other, spent 3 hours Thursday morning making their case to Baker County Circuit Court Judge Matt Shirtcliff regarding the governor’s legal authority to continue restricting Oregonians… Read more
Lawyers representing Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in a lawsuit filed last week in Baker County say the plaintiffs have no legal basis for claiming the governor exceeded her authority in declaring an emergency related to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Baker County Commission Chairman Bill Harvey is supporting a lawsuit filed last week against Oregon Gov. Kate Brown by a Baker City church and other plaintiffs who contend the governor’s coronavirus emergency declaration has exceeded the 30-day limit set in the Oregon Constitution. Read more
Toni Nickell leans closer to the computer screen, peering at the small image to watch Madeline Hassmiller pinch her fingers together. Read more
A team of Baker County “contact tracers” is continuing to try to identify and interview anyone who had close contact with the only county resident who has tested positive for the coronavirus. Read more
Most Baker School District employees have accepted a plan that calls for them to be placed on furlough at a rate of 20% to 26% of their work week from now through July 31, and the rest could join them soon. Read more
The second round of a federal financial aid program for businesses harmed by the pandemic has been more beneficial for Baker County than the first round. Read more
Many Baker County businesses that have been closed or restricted in their services since mid-March, including bars, restaurants, beauty salons and gyms, could reopen, with limits on customer numbers, on May 15. Read more
A group of Oregon churches and individuals, including as lead plaintiff the Elkhorn Baptist Church in Baker City, is suing Gov. Kate Brown claiming her executive orders imposing restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic are unconstitutional. Read more
Last fall you’d often see PE teacher Jessica Anderson at either Haines Elementary or South Baker Intermediate school surrounded by her students, a cup of coffee in hand as she prepared to put the kids through their paces. Read more
Bill Harvey, Baker County Commission chairman, wants both his 85-year-old mother and his teenage grandson to be able to use the Baker High School track without feeling guilty for breaking rules. Read more
Garla Rowe hopes to see the dark sky over Haines blossom into a palette of bright colors on the Fourth of July. Read more
Baker County Commissioner Mark Bennett said Wednesday that the county’s plan to begin reopening its economy is ready, and that the county’s first confirmed case of coronavirus, also announced Wednesday, does not affect the plan. Read more
Baker County has had its first confirmed case of coronavirus, Commissioner Mark Bennett announced this morning during a Board of Commissioners meeting. Read more
With three of Baker County’s signature events already canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic — Sumpter’s flea market and the Huntington Lions Catfish Derby during Memorial Day weekend, and the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally in Baker City in early July — Gov. Kate Brown needs to approve Bake… Read more
Shelly Cutler knows how important Miners Jubilee is to Baker City. Read more
The annual East-West Shrine All-Star Football game, a summer fixture in Baker City for more than 40 years, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Shelly Cutler knows how important Miners Jubilee is to Baker City. Read more
One of Baker City's biggest summer events, the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was scheduled for July 9-13. Read more
Restaurants in Baker County’s smaller communities are striving to keep their customers satisfied while complying with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s executive order limiting them to takeout and delivery meals. Read more
The focus on year-end school events has had to change this year, especially for students at Baker High School — and even more specifically for graduating seniors. Read more
Restaurants in Baker County’s smaller communities are striving to keep their customers satisfied while complying with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s executive order limiting them to takeout and delivery meals. Read more
Baker County Commissioner Mark Bennett said Friday afternoon that he’s optimistic the county will be able to start phase 1 of its economic reopening plan “no later than May 15.” Read more
Gov. Kate Brown hopes that some rural areas with few or no COVID-19 cases could reopen for business and other activities on May 15. Read more
Baker County’s ban on camping and other overnight actitivies along the Snake River corridor at the county’s eastern border, in effect since April 3, ends today, April 30. Read more
The Ellis family of Baker City, 1425 Second St., was named best of show in the yard art competition — with the theme “Kindness” — sponsored by Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, CASA of Eastern Oregon and the Baker City Rotary Club. Read more
Suzan Ellis Jones and her husband, Keith, were hoping to sell their cattle herd this year and retire. Read more
Baker County’s two representatives in the Oregon Legislature lauded the county’s plan to gradually reopen its economy and encouraged Gov. Kate Brown to approve the proposal soon. Read more
Baker County officials have struck a reasonable balance in pursuing a vitally important goal — removing the shackles that have stifled the local economy, but without opening the floodgates to a torrent of coronavirus cases. Read more
Sharon Brady makes her way down the line of trucks and cars at Burger Bob’s Drive-In, taking orders from the growing line of customers Thursday afternoon. Read more
It all started because McKynzie and Olivia Price were missing their grammy. Read more
Baker County has made its pitch to Gov. Kate Brown for a gradual reopening of businesses that have been closed, or limited in their operation, since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Shortfalls in Oregon’s budget could have significant effects on Baker County’s spending plan as well because state programs, including the gas tax and lottery, are major sources of county revenue, county commissioners said during their meeting Wednesday morning. Read more
